KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin agreed with fellow Umno member Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz Abdullah that the party’s new leadership must be allowed to shape the direction of the party.

While demurring from Nazri’s suggestion that Umno distance itself from former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Khairy concurred that Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should be given adequate freedom to lead Umno.

“I agree the new president be given the space to set a new direction for the party.

“That is why the former president and the presidential candidates should also give space to the new leader to lead,” he said.

Nazri had said yesterday that Najib should keep some distance from the party’s affairs to provide for a smooth transition to the new leadership.

Khairy also confirmed he has since resigned from his position as the Commander of the 508th Regiment of the Volunteer Corps.

He said he passed the letter of resignation to remove him of his credentials to the Corps’ Deputy Chief Maj Gen Datuk Zainal Abidin M Said.

“I met with the chief and handed over my resignation today at the Ministry of Defence.

“My presence was no longer welcomed, so I feel it’s better I retreat from the position,” he explained when asked to cite reasons for tendering the resignation.

Khairy initially made the announcement of his resignation on his Twitter account this morning.